The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-01-28
A WOMAN'S BLUNDER.
What Came of a Village Post
mistress Carelessness.


der" Thus ran the written notice,
penned, too, in characters nearly APP
preaching half-tcxt, stuck up in one of
the few principal shops facing the
main street.
The unimportant village of clam
merton" lay somewhat far away from
any town, and therefore did fair
amount of steady-going business on its
own account. Foremost of all ranked
the repository or store of Janet Lisle,
in which she sold stationery, news
papers, the magazines of the day il
duly ordered in time, besides variety
of useful odds and ends. She was also
the village postmistrcss, and carried
out the duties of her office with
marked regard to promptitude. In
each Of these pursuits, however, she
was aided by her pretty and also win
some niece, Elsie Falconbridge.
In al! reality, Elsie W.: moro mis-
tross of the postal department thar
Janet Lisle herself. 1t was she who
ordinarily undertook the dispatch of
that twice-a-day letter-bag, bestowing
upon each missivc previously the due
official stamp-mark. Janet Isles
right hand, in fact" as every one said.
She, too, it was who made the
mullins and crumpets - mullins and
crumpets which were SO popular in
the village that no one ever drcamt
of having tea party without also
having mullins and crumpets'' to
match.
"Oblige me with two-cent stamp,
Miss Falconbridge, won't you?" and Il
somewhat elderly man at that moment
stared her full in the face-this neces-
sarily, however-through the gap
made in the wire network marking of
the spot allotted to the post-otfice de-
partment.
She handed him what he required.
"And a registered envelope, also,"
he said.
Again she had fulfilled his request.
"Thank you," and without much ado
he deposited twenty-dollar note with
in the same.
"All right" he soliloquized, as old
gentlemen are so fond of doing
Come, that's done, at any rate" he
added, in self-congratulatory fashion.
Then came aloud. questioningly:
In the letter-boX?-or shall leave
it with you?"
You can leave it here, SIR" an
swered Elsie, quietly.
Others were now coming in fast, de-
handing this.and that. and in adopt
ing a cain exterior lay her only chance
of attending .,'ght'., u e;:>, '+itioner.
Janet Lisle also VAS unusually b.;
that afternoon. Miss Veal, the richest
~ 10y l. n IT, 80. -. CO large g"
,:..ty that yc..'jj, :y2::.,.,, ;&:..d MUM
and crumpcts were accordingly being
sent off in starlngly large quantities.
"Is there any letter waiting for nc
to-day, plcase?" asked a somewhat tim
id voice a few minutes later on.
"No, Miss Josephine, nothing"
81 am sorry. Disappointing-is it
not?"
The two speakers seemed fully to
comprehend each other. There existed
apparently, a sort of pleasant sympathy
between them. Both were pretty. Both
looked good, and also thoroughly in
earnest. Only. that the assistant post
mistress appeared full of brightness
and life. and the girl how facing her
wore the aspect of being tired of life
already.
Eyes, very. am sorry, too"
"Thank you. You are always kind.
] will look in again tomorrow, if my
doing so will not trouble you too
much"
mot at all. Miss Josephine"
The last-namcd was already moving
away to make room for some one else.
Elsie Falconbridgc had, however, not
vet completed her business with the
late lawyers daughter.
"Auntie," she whispered, stake my
place here for IL moment"
Janet Isle nodded in assent.
"D0 come in here an instant with
me, won't you?' and Elsie signed that
Kiss Josephine should accompany her
into the coy back parlor. where all
was now in readiness for tea. THE
fact is, Miss Josephine. I've done the
most stupid thing imaginable to-day
made mistake, and prepared nearly
twice the number of crumpets that will
be wanted by anybody. Isn't it alb
SIrd Of map YOu won't mind--nO. I'm